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It’s Quilt Time!

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The clock is ticking…the annual DuBois Center Fall Festival is just one month away and so is the much-anticipated Quilt Drawing!
This year, two beautiful and unique quilts have been donated. Both are queen-size. One is a stunning block pattern in steel blue and tan – elaborate machine stitching makes the back side nearly as beautiful as the front. The second quilt could have come right out of an elegant log cabin in the Southwest.
With these works of art, we hope to raise a minimum of $2,000. You can help by spreading the word!
A flyer with pictures is available to assist. You are also invited to sell tickets and display one or more of the quilts at your church on a Sunday morning or during a special event. Contact Carol Shanks at shanks@htc.net or 618-920-2904 to reserve a quilt.
Thank you for your support of DuBois Center! Join us at Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 6 to see who wins the quilts!
Quilt 2

Camp Lost & Found

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Gone are the days when every mother meticulously sewed printed labels into her child’s camp gear and school clothes. Good for moms, not so good for lost and found!

Every summer, a mountain of towels, socks, shorts and water bottles accumulates at DuBois Center. This year was no different. Much of our 2019 collection has already been returned, but even more is waiting to go home. If you or your camper, or someone you know, lost something at camp – let us know. Send an email to dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org with a detailed description and we’ll check the boxes and bags in the office. Give us a week or two to check and get back to you!

Unclaimed items will be held until September 10 and are then donated to charitable organizations.

Rainbow Camp Registration Deadline is July 26!

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The 5th Annual Rainbow Camp will be held at DuBois Center on Saturday, Aug 10.  It’s a full day of fun in community, where everyone is recognized as a whole child of God. Anyone can attend, regardless of denomination, and all ages are welcome. Rainbow Camp is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer singles, couples and families. Straight allies are welcome, too!

See the informational flyer for more details. To register online, click here.

July Camps with Openings

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It’s been a busy summer already and July looks to be even busier. There are still one or two spots open in most July sessions. For the most up-to-date information on all the options available for your child, contact our registrar at 618-357-1809 or DuBois Center at 618-787-2202. More sessions are reaching their capacity each day, so don’t delay. At this moment, the camps listed below have multiple openings. Grades listed are the grade completed.
If you are ready to register – click here. Need more details? Pick up a camp brochure at your UCC church or download one here. To receive a brochure by mail, contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202.
July 7-12           Settler (grades 3-5) – spots for girls only
July 7-12           Outback (grades 6-8)
July 7-12           Saddle ‘Em Up (grades 7-9)
July 14-19         Imagine That! (grades 4-7)
July 14-19         Movin’ & Groovin’ (grades 4-7)
July 14-19         Trekkin’ It (grades 5-8)
July 21-24         Girl Power (grades 1-3)
July 21-24         Pony Express (grades 4-6)
July 21-24         Family Camp

Neither Rain, nor rain, nor rain…

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Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these camp leaders from the swift completion of their appointed duties. Whether greeting parents on a stormy afternoon or creating engaging indoor or undercover options, summer staff at DuBois Center serve with smiles on their faces and a lot of enthusiasm. Sure, sometimes they get a little down… it’s a tough job, but your prayers sustain them and the special stories of the lives they have touched keep them going.
Recent Facebook comment from a Parent: “God placed it on my heart to let you guys know, that what you’re doing with all the kids, is simply amazing! Just know that you’re making changes in these kids’ lives daily! Thank you for all you do!”

Thank You, Welcome Team!

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We had an amazing Sunday Welcome Team turn-out on June 9! Eighteen volunteers greeted and welcomed campers and parents on the first summer camp check-in day of the season.
A special THANKS to Sandy Dehner, Aaron, Susan and Harmon Fuchs, Audrey Hicks, Leah Juenger, Sandy and Scott Kuether, Cara Magee Johnston, Jason Petry, Carol and David Shanks, Nancy Wagner, and Sandy Westbrook. This crew packed a whole lot of welcome into just three hours after church. They were also joined by volunteers Donna Asbridge, Nicole Avise-Rouse, Rev. Todd Mushaney and Alana Scherle – our nurse and chaplains for the week.
The Team assisted with the camp store, paperwork review, health screenings, pontoon boat and dock duty, and people-moving. Working hand-in-hand with summer staff they did a great job of helping the check-in process run smoothly. Many of these volunteers hail from Illinois South Conference churches – others are “friends” of DuBois Center. UCC churches represented include Cahokia Bethel UCC, Dupo Christ UCC, Freeburg St. Paul’s UCC, Lebanon St. Paul UCC, and Waterloo St. Paul UCC.
THANKS for your service. We couldn’t do it without you!
Want to join our Sunday Welcome Team on an upcoming summer Sunday? Volunteers are needed June 16 and 23, and July 7, 14 and 21! Contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@duboiscenter.org or 618-787-2202 to volunteer.

What’s in a Name?

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Twig, Sparkle, Mr. T, Peanut, Croc, Simba, Minnow, Curly, Kayak, Bandit, Sparrow, Shark Bait – what’s with all the weird names?

Since 2011, “camp names” have been a tradition for summer staff and volunteers at DuBois Center. Some are silly and pulled from…well, who knows where? Others have stories behind them  – to avoid inhaling pollen and dust, Nurse Bandit wears a bandana over her nose and mouth when driving the golf cart or Gator around camp. Amani means PEACE in Swahili, a primary language in Tanzania – the home of one of our international staff members.

We use “camp names” during the summer because they are FUN, and because sometimes there are just too many Merediths, Rachels and Ryans running around. Real names are shared on the last day of each camp, and they are listed on the sign-out sheets when parents pick up their children at the end of a session. If a counselor senses that a parent is nervous about not knowing their “real name,” the leader might take them aside and share that detail in advance.

What’s in a name? A lot of silliness and camp fun!

Make New Friends – Sign Up for Camp!

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There are still openings throughout the summer and lots of new friends to be made! But don’t delay, spots are filling quickly, and a number of sessions are already full.

To learn more about summer camp at DuBois Center, check out the camp brochure online or pick one up at your UCC church. To have a brochure sent by mail, contact DuBois Center at 618-787-2202 or dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org.

Meet Our Summer Staff – Ryan and Jack!

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Welcome back to Ryan Goetter from Collinsville and Jack Lockhart from Motueka, New Zealand!
Ryan – AKA Shark Bait – is returning for this fifth summer on staff. We celebrate his recent graduation from Missouri State University with his bachelors degree in music education and his new teaching position at DuQuoin Middle School. Another highlight – the designation of Ryan’s chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha as “Chapter of the Year.” An honor in itself, but even more so because Ryan was a founding brother early in his college career. Ryan is an active member of St. John UCC in Collinsville and long-term DuBois Center camper. His favorite childhood memories are from his adventures at camp. When asked why he has such a passion for working at DuBois Center, Ryan wrote, “I grew up at camp! It’s such an amazing and magical place and I want an opportunity to give the kids a great experience like I had!”
Jack – AKA Chip – is returning for his second summer on staff. He had such an incredible time last year, he couldn’t wait to return! Jack is a certified lifeguard, and volunteers with the rural fire department back home. Serving others is in his DNA. Jack is excited to be back at DuBois Center because he loves the “family atmosphere” and wants to gain more experience working with young people and families. His goal after completing university is to work with youth in the criminal justice system to make a difference while there is still an opportunity for significant life changes. Jack enjoys all camp activities – especially those involving water or horses. He was a rookie last summer, but quickly grew his grooming, tacking and riding skills.
5_31 Staff 2

We Still Need Volunteers!

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Volunteers are the heart of strong and healthy outdoor ministry programs. At DuBois Center, volunteers serve throughout the year on committees and teams, at the barn, in the office, on work projects, as retreat leaders and fund raisers. During the summer, there are a variety of ways to be involved and make a difference in the lives of the young people we serve. Join us for a few hours on a Sunday afternoon, a couple days during the week, or a full session of camp. Volunteers work hand-in-hand with paid summer staff to provide our fun, engaging and faith-filled program.
Summer 2019 opportunities include:
● Cabin Counselor
● Chaplain
● Nurse
● Barn Helper
● Sunday Welcome Team
● Activity Specialist
● Photographer

Contact DuBois Center at dcinfo@DuBoisCenter.org or 618-787-2202 with questions. More information and volunteer applications can be found here. We hope to see you at DuBois this summer!